Maybe, just maybe, if Penn State weren't in the second year of a four-year bowl ban, the Nittany Lions would be in a better place. However, welcomed news came from the NCAA on lifting some of the scholarship limitations, but the $60 million fine, vacating a number of Joe Paterno's wins and that bowl ban still remain in place.

Head coach Bill O'Brien keeps marching on.

Tonight at Ohio Stadium in a nationally televised prime-time game, Penn State can have a statement win. Historically, Ohio State and Penn State have played close games and the Nittany Lions give the Buckeyes problems.

This is Penn State's bowl game.

"Here we go, it's Ohio State, 100,000 people in the stands in the Horseshoe. I don't know too many bowl games that are better than that, other than the national championship game" O'Brien said. "I think our kids are very, very motivated to play in this conference."

Over the years, the two teams have played 27 games and Ohio State has a 14-13 advantage, but Penn State has won two of the last three games in Ohio Stadium.

"They are a very good team," OSU head coach Urban Meyer said. "They are a team that has momentum. They had a bye week. They are a team that is rested, and very well coached. They are legitimate. This is Penn State."

The Nittany Lions are the third straight opponent for the Buckeyes coming off a bye week. Having two weeks to get healthy and prepare is an advantage.

It's also been a problem for OSU. Last week, Iowa came out in a one-back, three tight end set, that isn't uncommon, but it was new for the Hawkeyes. Penn State has shown the ability to run three tight ends as well.

Meyer has been critical of his coaching staff, mostly his defensive staff led by Luke Fickell and Everett Withers.

"What I was disappointed about was we didn't adjust fast enough. It was one back, and three tight ends," Meyer said. "They ran the stretch play with two and three tight ends, and we didn't adjust fast enough. It was a bad deal. ... We need to adjust faster. ... Penn State (had) a bye week. We will see something new."

What Ohio State will see is Penn State freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg. In his last game, a four-overtime win against Michigan, he completed 23 of 44 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

This is a concerning matchup for Ohio State. The back end of OSU's defense was supposed to be a strength, but has not played well. Losing senior captain Christian Bryant to a broken ankle hurts.

In conference games against Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern, the Buckeyes have allowed an average of nearly 295 yards in the air. Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis owned Bradley Roby the last time Roby played in prime time in Ohio Stadium.

Page 2 of 2 - Roby likely will draw the assignment of covering Penn State receiver Allen Robinson. He leads the conference in catches per game (7.2) and is second in yards (117.5).

"He (Roby) has got to play well and the whole back end has to play well," Meyer said. "We have not had our best game back there yet. It should have been a strength, and I'm counting on them this week to be a strength."

Helping Roby and the secondary would be a consistent pass rush. While Hackenberg is improving the more times he's on the field, he is still a young player who will struggle under a pass rush.

The weakest link during Ohio State's unbeaten run last year and still this season has been the defense. Meyer was asked if his defense is good enough for the team to be a national title contender.

He cross his arms and looked confidently at reporters.

"Yes," he said. "We have enough good players, we have enough good coaches, we have to play better."